Napolitano in Montana to consider closing underused border station amid millions in repairs

Border station’s fate draws Napolitano to Montana

HAVRE, Mont. — Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano is seeking comment from Montanans living near the Canadian border before deciding whether to shut down an underused crossing that is in the middle of a multimillion-dollar renovation.

Napolitano is in Havre on Wednesday to hold a town hall on border security. The Whitetail Port of Entry between Montana and Saskatchewan is expected to be a key topic.

The crossing sees just five travelers a day but had been undergoing an $8.5 million stimulus-funded renovation. The upgrades were halted earlier this month when Canada announced it was closing its side next year.

Critics have called the project a waste of taxpayer money.

Sen. Jon Tester’s office says the senator is leaning toward closing the U.S. side as well, unless a better idea comes along.